Chapter 4: Open Secret

“Why now?”

“What’ve I done to myself?”

“How did I let my life get to this point?”

“I can't believe I'm facing pregnancy at this young age.”

“Being pregnant at this age is unimaginable.”

I walked back and forth in the hospital, in my own thoughts, feeling nervous. As I walked, I couldn't shake the weight of my situation. The excitement of gaining admission into the university is now overshadowed by the unexpected news of my pregnancy.

I felt scared and confused as I finally left the hospital. With each step I took, my worries grew. Everything seemed uncertain, and I didn't know what to do next. I was still too young to be pregnant. Walking on the road, I questioned myself. I thought of going home, on the other hand, I thought of going to Jerry's place.

“Ring… ring.”

As my phone rang, I saw Jerry's name showing on the screen. His voice sounded romantic as he pleaded for me to come over to his place.

“Hey, my dear,” Jerry's voice echoed from the phone, filled with affection. “Please, I need you right now. Come over as fast as you can.”

I paused, my mind raising with confused emotions. “Jerry I… I… I am not sure I can come over right now. There's a lot going on now.”

“Listen, I really need you right now,” Jerry's voice softened. “Can you come over, it's urgent.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of his words. “I'll be on my way now, I have something important to tell you.”

** Back in the present **

I finally took a cab home, while Emily returned to her parents' house.

I arrived home, and noticed my aunt's presence, indicating she had returned from the city. Feeling nervous and scared, I remained outside, unsure how to break the news of my pregnancy to her.

The unexpected arrival of my aunt caught me unprepared, leaving me standing outside, feeling confused in the whole situation.

As I remained there, my heart raced with anxiety. I struggled with confused emotions, unsure whether to enter the house and talk to my aunt or stay back and buy myself more time to gather my thoughts.

The weight of my secret hung heavily on my shoulders, and I struggled to find the courage to face the inevitable conversation that awaited me inside. With each passing moment, the bundle of anxiety in my stomach tightened, leaving me feeling more alone in my predicament.

As the sun went down, stretching shadows spread across the yard, making me more scared.

I knew I couldn't delay forever; eventually, I'd have to confront the truth. Taking a deep breath, I raised my shoulders and made my way to the front door. With trembling hands, I reached for the doorknob, preparing myself for whatever lay beyond.

“Vivian, Is that you?” my aunt asked from her room.

After hearing my name, I responded. "Yes ma, Good evening, Aunt," I greeted politely.

My aunt looked at me with worries, and asked, "Where did you go?" She wanted to know where I had been. I felt nervous but tried to hide it. I took a deep breath before answering.

I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "I... I… um… I went to see my friend Emily," I stammered, my voice barely heard. I hoped my aunt wouldn't ask further, but her gaze was steadfast, she was waiting for a more detailed explanation. Feeling the pressure mounting, I struggled to come up with a believable excuse.

“My friend needed my help," I continued, my words falling out in a rush. “I didn't expect you to be back so soon."

I hoped my aunt would accept my explanation, but the uneasy look in her eyes told me otherwise. I braced myself for more questions, my mind racing as I struggled to keep my composure.

My aunt studied me for a moment, my expression was noticeable "You seem nervous. What's wrong? Dear," she asked with compassion in her voice.

My heart sank as I realized my aunt wasn't going to let the matter drop so easily. I struggled to maintain my calmness, knowing that any little mistake could reveal the truth I was desperate to keep hidden.

I forced a smile, attempting to appear free despite the troubles inside me. "It's nothing, Aunt," I replied, my voice strained.

“I just didn't expect you to be home already." I hoped she'd buy my excuse, but the silence that followed told me otherwise. My stomach stirred with anxiety as I awaited her next question, anticipating the inevitable moment when I’d have to confront the truth.

My aunt's gaze softened, sensing my discomfort. "Well, I'm back now," she said, her tone gentle.

"Why don't we go inside and talk? You seem like you should take some water," I felt a rush of relief at my aunt's offer, grateful for the opportunity to delay the inevitable conversation a little longer. Nodding gratefully, I followed her into the house, my mind still racing with fear and uncertainty.

My heart skipped a beat as my aunt's eyes fell upon the bruises on my face. She reacted, my hand moving to cover the marks, but it was too late. My aunt's concern was noticeable as she reached out, her voice filled with worry.

“What happened to you? Are you okay?" She asked. I struggled to find the words to explain, the weight of my secret threatening to suffocate me. I watched helplessly as my aunt searched for the keys to her ancient car, requesting we go to the hospital immediately.

Despite my own fear and hesitation, I knew I couldn't continue to hide the truth. With a heavy heart, I prepared myself to finally reveal the painful reality of my situation.

With fear in my voice, I started begging my aunt, without letting her know what the problem was. “I’m very sorry, ma,” I pleaded, kneeling down.

My aunt was still confused about what was going on. “I ask again. what's wrong?” she repeated her question, with her voice already filled with anger.

“It's not my fault Aunt, it's the work of the devil, I was blinded by love and affluent,” I said, as I continued to plead for mercy.

“I…. I… I’m…” I whispered calmly.

“You’re what? Speak out,” my aunt shouted, already very angry, wanting to know what's wrong with me. She wasn't patient with me anymore, but she tried to calm down, to hear what I had to say.

“I… I’m pregnant….”

“You're what?" She shouted, her voice filled with disbelief. I fell to the ground, tears rolling down my cheeks as I realized her disappointment.

I couldn't figure how I ended up in this situation, pregnant at this stage of my life when there was so much potential ahead of me. I lay flat on the ground, overcome with sorrow and regret.

"I thought you were smart and clever. How did you let yourself get tricked like this?" My aunt's questions kept coming, each one fueled with disappointment.

I felt my aunt's eyes on me, heavy with disapproval. I couldn't find the words to explain how I ended up in this situation. My aunt's words echoed in my mind, questioning what happened to my university education. My heart sank as I struggled to make sense of it all.

I had worked hard to excel in my studies, dreaming of a bright future filled with opportunities. But somewhere along the way, I had made a mistake, a decision that now seemed to overshadow everything I had worked for.

As my aunt's questioning continued, my mind raced with thoughts of what could have been. What happened to the promising future I had envisioned for myself? How did I allow myself to be led astray from the path I had worked so hard to pave?

Tears continued to flow down my cheeks as I struggled to find the words to explain myself. I knew there was no excuse for my actions, no way to undo the choices I had made. All I could do now was face the consequences and try to find a way to move forward.

“Tomorrow morning, we're going to see the person who's responsible for your pregnancy," my aunt announced before heading off to her room, leaving me feeling even more overwhelmed.

My heart sank as I took in her words. Facing the consequences of my pregnancy was challenging enough, but now I had to confront the person involved, adding another layer of anxiety to my already troubled mind. As my aunt disappeared from my sight, I couldn't help but fear what awaited me in the morning and how I'd manage to navigate through the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, As the sun goes down, darkness gently covers the world like a soft, warm cover. The stars twinkle in the night sky, casting their gentle glow over the earth. The hustle and bustle of the day gradually quiets down, replaced by the soothing sounds of the night : crickets melody, the stir of leaves in the gentle breeze, and the distant owl cry.

As the night deepens, exhausted individuals find comfort in the embrace of sleep, their worries and troubles briefly forgotten. The darkness wraps around the world like a cocoon, offering a brief respite from the chaos of the day.

But as the night slowly fades away, a new day begins to dawn on the horizon. The first light of dawn peeks over the edge of the earth, painting the sky with hues of different colors. The world begins to stir once more, as birdsong fills the air and the promise of a new day begins.

With each passing moment, the sky grows brighter, chasing away the shadows of the night and ushering in the dawn of a fresh start. And as the sun rises higher in the sky, casting its warm rays upon the earth, a sense of hope and renewal fills the air. It is a reminder that no matter how dark the night may seem, a new day always brings the chance for light and possibility.

Meanwhile, Jerry woke up from his sleep to find Olivia still on his bed. His heart pounded with anger as he realized she was still there. He knew he had to get her out of his house immediately. His father would return home later that day, and Jerry couldn't bear the thought of him finding out what he had been doing in his absence.

With a surge of frustration, Jerry's voice rose as he yelled at Olivia to leave his house right away. He didn't want to risk his father discovering the truth and facing the consequences of his actions.

Olivia, a call girl he picked by the roadside, just to satisfy his urge at that moment, and to also make me jealous.

Jerry's thoughts raced as he continually tidied up the room, his mind filled with worry if his father's eventually meet with Olivia. Olivia was finally done dressing up, she requested for her money, left after payment.

Meanwhile, I was still fast asleep, the symptoms of my pregnancy were already starting to show. My aunt, aware of our plans for the day, came into my room to gently remind me of our commitments.

I stirred from my slumber, with a sense of urgency, I hurriedly rose from my bed, my mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead. Despite the fatigue weighing heavy on my limbs, I knew I had to freshen up quickly.

As I splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth, I couldn't help but feel burdened by the uncertainty of my situation. The reality of my pregnancy arose large in my mind, casting a shadow over my every move.

“Thump.”

My aunt hurriedly rushed to my room, upon hearing the loud sound.